Animate Me Read Online Free

goes. This one, as infuriating as it is, is a keeper. After all, satire and caricatures work so well because of the truth behind them.
    • • •
    The next day’s coffee run is uneventful, and this time no one questions the second cup. When I get to Brooke’s office, her assistant eyes me suspiciously, but I explain that I’m just dropping off her coffee. When I step into the doorway, Brooke looks up and smiles.
    “For me again?”
    “Sure, it’s no big deal…really,” I assure her, trying to play it cool. Suddenly it occurs to me…
what if I’m bothering her?
    “You really don’t have to do this.”
    “You don’t want it?” I ask, trying not to look crestfallen.
    “Oh, it’s not that; I just don’t want to take advantage of your kindness,” she says with a wink and a sexy smile.
    Is she flirting with me?
    My stomach flip-flops as I try to think how to respond. Then I remember a line I heard once.
    “Okay, I’ll make an agreement. I’ll only do it when I want to.”
    Hey, that sounded smooth.
I smile as I shift nervously from foot to foot, watching for her reaction.
    She smiles at me then lifts the cup to study today’s drawing of her.
    This time I’ve sketched her on the cup with a “B” on her chest like Superman’s “S” and a cape flapping behind her.
    “How did you know I was a superhero?” she asks teasingly. “That’s top secret information.”
    “Well, I’m one too, so of course I sensed it with my super powers.”
    “Yes, of course,” she agrees, playing along. “How’s the show coming along?”
    “Oh fine. We got stuck with extra footage this week but it’s do-able. At least I like this script…it’s got good timing and some really funny stuff.”
    “That’s great,” she responds happily.
    Wow, this is like a real conversation.
    Then there’s an awkward moment of silence as my mind races with what to say next. “By the way,” I stammer, pointing at the print above her desk. “I love your
Iron Giant
artwork. It’s a great design with the cold-war propaganda look. I am a huge fan of that film and Brad Bird, the director.”
    “Oh, me, too,” she agrees. “You know I worked with him on
The Incredibles
when I first got started in the business.”
    We easily fall into a conversation about Brad and his brilliance. I’m doing great until I realize that I’m doing great and that makes me clam up again. She senses I’m struggling, but she seems confused as to why I’m trying so hard.
    I look down at my shoes as I desperately try to figure out what to say next. Defeated, I finally give up.
    “Well, I better get back to work. “
    “Okay, thanks again, Nathan.”
    • • •
    That night, after my dinner of nachos and carrot sticks, I make a list of things to talk to Brooke about so I’m better prepared for our next meeting:
Are you from L.A.?
Do you like living in L.A.? This can lead into the loaded question:
Do you have a roommate? If she’s vague I can ask more directly:
Is Arnauld your roommate?
Scratch that. You can’t ask her that…Besides, these questions are forgettable. You want her to remember you.
    I start again.
Do you have any tattoos?
Do you like Halloween?
What cartoon character are you most like?
Does Arnauld remind you of Homer Simpson?
Scratch that…I don’t want to come off like an asshole.
Do clowns frighten you?
What’s your favorite ride at Disneyland?
Do you like nachos?
    This leads to me imaging Brooke eating nachos with me, and I become too distracted to finish the list. Just the idea of the melted cheese on her fingers and watching the salsa trail over her lips gets me so worked up that I have to take my shower earlier than usual.
    • • •

    The next afternoon I do a more elaborate drawing of Brooke on her Starbucks cup. She’s charming as usual and there’s a cute little gremlin character from the new show she developed perched on her shoulder.
    I dress a little nicer today, wearing my newer jeans and the green button-down